Chapter 3: All those who bring wars and destroy the peace of old

Though Sindarin in descent he lived after the manner of the Silvan Elves and housed in the tall trees of a great green mound, ever after called Cerin Amroth. This he did because of his love for Nimrodel. For long years he had loved her, and taken no wife, since she would not wed with him. She loved him indeed, for he was beautiful even for one of the Eldar, and valiant and wise; but she was of the Silvan Elves, and regretted the incoming of the Elves from the West, who (as she said) brought wars and destroyed the peace of old. She would speak only the Silvan tongue, even after it had fallen into disuse among the folk of Lórien; and she dwelt alone beside the falls of the river Nimrodel to which she gave her name. But when the terror came out of Moria and the Dwarves were driven out, and in their stead Orcs crept in, she fled distraught alone south into empty lands. Amroth followed her and at last he found her under the eaves of Fangorn. Unfinished Tales

Legolas, Galithil and Galuauth walked quickly from the healer's cottage heading back to their talan to tell Amglaur what they had learned from the dwarves, and to include their own message to Thranduil, if Amglaur's courier had not already left.

As they walked, Legolas looked over his shoulder at Galuauth.

"Will you mention to Adar what Nis said about how she recognized us?" he asked.

"I beg your pardon, Legolas? What did Nis say? I must not have heard it," Galuauth replied. His tone was sincere. It sharply contrasted with the sardonic glare he leveled on Legolas.

Legolas did his best to appear contrite. "Thank you, Galuauth."

"Thank you for what, Legolas?" Galuauth said. Then his glare grew even more stern. "I will mention nothing to the King, but I will mention to you that I happened to be the guard in the throne room on the day that Lord Dolgailon was caught spying when he was a child. The ensuing conversation--which, of course, I also did not hear--lasted for nearly an hour, contained words like 'betrayal' and 'deeply disappointed'  and 'borders on treason,' and left Dolgailon reduced to tears. At the time, he was around the same age that you are now. I recommend that you keep that in mind."

Legolas and Galithil both winced at that description. Dolgailon had already confessed that misdeed to them, also in an attempt to persuade them to stop spying, but he had not given them that level of detail. Legolas could not...he did not even want to try to imagine the words 'borders on treason' coming from his father's mouth to describe something he had done. He could not deny that he knew that was how Thranduil would react to finding him crouching behind that tapestry. He and his cousins had promised themselves a hundred times that they would not spy on Thranduil anymore only to find another irresistible reason to do so.

"We will remember it, Galuauth," Legolas promised.

Galuauth shook his head. "But you will not agree to cease spying on the King because you are unwilling to make a promise that you know you cannot keep," he said with an openly disgusted tone as they approached the village courtyard. "You may want to ask yourselves, my lords, as you conduct the King's business in this village: at what point does spying on conversations that the King intentionally excludes you from move from childish impulsiveness to adult disobedience?"

Legolas bit his lip and he and Galithil remained silent. There was no argument against what Galuauth had said.

They were nearly to the village courtyard when Galithil caught Legolas's sleeve and drew him to a stop.

"Is that Dolwon and Dannenion?" he whispered, nodding towards a group of elves seated under the trees on the edge of the courtyard.

Legolas frowned and followed Galithil's gaze. He saw Maenil, Pauron, Galithil's friend Galasserch, the older village guard who had greeted them on their arrival, along with a few other elves. They were all sitting in a circle, talking and sipping wine. Several musicians were arriving in the courtyard as well, preparing for the evening's revelry. Legolas focused on two elves sitting across from Maenil and Pauron. Their backs were to him, but they could be Dolwon and Dannenion. Legolas took a few steps closer towards the group, trying to determine if Galithil was right. He heard Maenil singing:

"Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool."

"I do not understand," interrupted one of the elves that Legolas was peering at. "Is Nimrodel the name of the maiden or the name of a river?"

Legolas looked at Galithil and they both mouthed, 'Definitely Dannenion.'

"It is the name of both--the maiden and the river," Maenil responded somewhat crossly. "Nimrodel, the maiden, lived near the river and so we named it after her."

"If the river runs through your city, why not name it after your city or your King? Why the maiden?" Dolwon asked.

"The river does not run through our city. It is a good distance from Caras Galadhon," Maenil answered tightly.

"But I thought you said this song was about the maiden your King abandoned your people for. How could she be courting the King, but live by a river no where near where he lived? It makes no sense. You are being confusing."

Maenil glared at Dannenion. Her husband, Pauron, took over trying to explain. "Nimrodel and Amroth love each other," he said, speaking as if to a child. "But, just the same, she lived outside Caras Galadhon because she did not like all the customs of the Sindar. Caras Galadhon was too much of a city for her. Too settled and rigid. She preferred the forest and especially the running river." He hesitated. "And she thought the Sindar were responsible for the orcs, which is, of course, ridiculous."

"And so you see why I thought you would enjoy this story about Nimrodel," said the elleth sitting next to Dannenion.

Legolas frowned at her as Dannenion and Dolwon snorted in laughter and encouraged Maenil to continue with her song.

"I think I would like to hear this song as well," Legolas said coolly, resuming his march towards the courtyard, but this time heading towards its center, rather than Dolgailon's talan on its southern edge.

"We need to tell your daeradar what we learned from Nis," Galithil said, following him. "And get that information back to your adar."

Legolas kept walking. "It is nearly nightfall. We missed the courier. Our message will not leave this village until tomorrow regardless of when we write it. I want to hear this song."

"I do not want to argue publicly in Dolgailon's village. Especially with my future father-in-law. His presence alone is unpleasant enough, without provoking him. Especially on this topic." Galithil caught at Legolas's sleeve again when none of his arguments stopped him. "Remember what your adar told us: we are to stay away from Dannenion and Dolwon and let them fall into their own trap. They have one foot in it now, apparently. Leave them to it."

Legolas sighed and stopped. "I do remember what Adar told us. And I am not going to engage in public arguments," he assured his cousin. "I am not stupid enough to do that while we are supposed to be here representing Dolgailon and the King. But I would like to know who Dannenion and Dolwon are visiting here that seems to find mocking Sindar presence in the forest as amusing as they do."

Galithil did not release Legolas's tunic. "That is certain to lead to public arguments of the sort neither Dolgailon nor the King would approve of us participating in," he warned. "Legolas, I am not going to allow anyone, even you, to start trouble in my village."

Legolas broke into an incredulous grin and looked his cousin up and down appraisingly. "As you wish, Lord Galithil," he replied. "May I have your leave to simply go sit and listen. I would be willing to wager that my presence will have an impact on that discussion. And besides, between the two of us, I am not the one with the unrestrained, smart mouth."

Galithil rolled his eyes and let go of his cousin's tunic. Then he loosed a sigh. "You are correct that we missed the courier. And I cannot deny that if we were in the capital, I would not pass on the opportunity to put Dannenion, Dolwon and whoever that elleth is in their place. But we are not in the capital. You need to remember that your adar has much less authority in the villages. Many of the people in the villages, especially this far from the stronghold, live here to put distance between themselves and the King because they, like this Nimrodel, apparently, prefer a lifestyle less influenced by Sindarin customs. You are not necessarily going to find the support you expect here."

Legolas raised his eyebrows.

"Let us go over and greet Dannenion and Dolwon," Galithil conceded. "If we can, we will find a way to make it clear to them that we heard their conversation. It is certainly not one they want repeated to the King. Then we can ask Galasserch to show us to the village leader's talan so we can deliver the King's message to her. But please take care not to start a fight here." He waved his hands when Legolas drew a sharp breath to protest. "A debate, then. Not a fight. Whatever you call it, we do not want to engage in it here. It is not our place."

Legolas sighed. "You are right--and believe me, I never thought I would say that," he added with a sidelong smirk at his cousin. "But I like your idea of at least greeting Dannenion and Dolwon. They are family now, after all."

Galathil made a choking noise in response to that reminder, but followed his cousin without further protest.

"May I join you?" Legolas asked politely, as he and Galithil approached the elves. Most of them stood as soon as they saw Legolas. After a moment, Maenil and Pauron did the same. Then the elleth--the one that thought Dannenion and Dolwon would like to hear about Nimrodel--stood, looking at Legolas with unconcealed condescension. Finally, after heaving loud sighs, Dannenion and Dolwon stood as well. Only two elves remained seated, leaning against a broad tree, gazing steadily at Legolas.

Legolas looked at the standing elves silently for a moment, confused by their actions. Then it dawned on him. "Please sit," he said in a quiet voice. "May I join you?"

"Of course, my lord," said the older guard. "We are honored by your presence here."

Legolas inclined his head to the guard, smiling warmly. The elf smiled back, and bowed at the waist before he reseated himself.

Meanwhile, Galithil turned his attention on Dannenion and Dolwon. "We can only stay a moment, but when Legolas and I saw you," he said, speaking directly to Dannenion, "we clearly could not fail to greet our family."

Legolas's head snapped around in response to Galithil's repetition of the phrase that had, only moments earlier, made him gag, but luckily no one else noticed Legolas's reaction in the face of Dannenion's. He had been taking a long drink of wine after re-seating himself. Upon hearing Galithil's words, Dannenion spluttered so badly into the wine that anyone would have thought he might drown in it. Even after lowering the goblet, he continued to choke, while swiping at his tunic to remove the wine that had spilled upon it.

"Family?" the older guard, repeated, sounding as surprised as Dannenion. His tone held a mixture of horror and disgust.

Galithil smiled blandly at him. "Indeed. The news has likely not reached this far south, but I am betrothed to Dannenion's daughter, Maidhien. We exchanged rings just a few days before Legolas and I left to travel to this village." He held up his hand so all could see the silver ring Maidhien had given him.

"Well, that is lovely news, Dannenion!" said the elleth sitting next to him--the one that was so interested in Nimrodel. "I cannot believe that you forgot to mention it to me. Make up for it now by introducing us all to the King's family, since you are part of it."

Dannenion cast her a scathing glare. Then he turned it on Galithil. Only when he saw Galithil would not flinch away from his glare did he look down, regain control of himself, and stand. "Of course, I will introduce you," he said in a tight voice. "Legolas..."

Dolwon poked him in the back.

Dannenion glanced over his shoulder and made a face at his friend. "Lord Legolas," he corrected himself. "And Lord Galithil, you appear to know Galasserch and Seregon," he began, nodding towards Galithil's friend and the older guard. "This is Meril and Ninimion," he continued, gesturing to the other villagers that had stood immediately upon Legolas's approach. "This is Eglennil and Bronil," he indicated the elves leaning against the tree--the ones that had never bothered to stand.  "And this is Moralfien," he concluded, ending with the elleth that had thought Nimrodel interesting.

"The village leader," Legolas observed, glancing at Galithil before they both bowed slightly to her. That is the village leader? he thought to himself.

She stood and curtseyed. "It is indeed an honor to have you here in our village, my lords." she said.

Seregon snorted. "And that is the kindest thing I have ever heard lady Moralfien say to or about a Sindarin lord," he said in a clear voice, looking at her evenly. Then he turned back to Legolas. "Why just a moment ago, before your arrival, Moralfien was commenting on how interesting she finds it that Nimrodel of Lorien lived outside of Caras Galadhon to escape Sindar influence. Tell us, Lord Legolas, do you find such stories equally interesting?"

Legolas stifled a sigh. Galithil was definitely right about the song's potential to cause a fight. "If I recall correctly," he said, addressing himself to Maenil, "you mentioned to Lord Amglaur that Nimrodel was Lord Amroth's beloved. Is that correct?" he asked, hoping to divert the conversation. It was a tactic he had seen his uncles use many times when uncomfortable or unsuitable topics arose on the Green.

"She was," Maenil replied. Her gaze darted between Legolas, Seregon and Moralfien and she said no more.

Disctraction tactics, Legolas realized, depended greatly on having someone present to aid in the distraction. Fortunately, Galithil stepped forward to face Moralfien.

"For my part, I find it most interesting to hear such a topic being discussed," he said looking at Dannenion. Then he turned to Moralfien. "I love romantic stories. Unfortunately, we cannot stay to hear more about Nimrodel's romance. Moralfien, I am carrying a message for you from the King." He tapped the pocket of his tunic. "Lord Legolas and I were just going to ask Galasserch to help us deliver it. Lucky that we found you so easily. Shall we?" He gestured for her to precede him away from the group.

Moralfien ignored the gesture. "A message from the King?" she repeated, still smiling, and held out her hand.

Galithil's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes. And he requires a response. I will wait for it. Would you prefer to write it in your own talan or in Lord Dolgailon's office?"

Moralfien's expression grew shuttered. "My own," she replied, the false warmth gone from her tone.

"Lead the way and we will accompany you," Galithil said. Then he turned to the group of elves. "It was a pleasure to meet all of you. Perhaps after our business is concluded we can rejoin you to hear more of that song."

The other elves, minus Eglennil and Bronil, stood and bowed as Galithil and Legolas moved to follow Moralfien. Eglennil exchanged a cold glance with the village leader as she walked away.

*~*~*

Legolas and Galithil followed the swift pace Moralfien set across the village courtyard and down one of the paths into the forest, presumably to her talan. The further they walked into the trees, the more closely Galuauth followed them. Indeed, they had walked far enough that Legolas was considering asking Moralfien where she was going. He was at least going to ask Galithil if it was normal for the villagers' talans to be set so far back into the forest, but from his cousin's expression, it was clear that he did not think it normal. Legolas drew a breath to suggest Moralfien deliver her response to Dogailon's talan--he did not want to earn Tulus's wrath for going too far into the forest--when they finally came upon a set of stairs leading up into a tall, stout tree.

Moralfien stood to one side of them. "After you, my lords," she said.

Legolas nodded to her and started up the stairs along with Galithil. Before Galuauth could follow, she stepped in front of him. "Wait here," she said.

Legolas looked over his shoulder at the guard. Galuauth put a foot on the first stair, as if he would refuse to be left behind. Then he hesitated, looked at Legolas and Galithil a long moment, studied the surrounding trees very carefully and finally turned to stand facing the forest at the foot of the stairs. This was the village leader's talan, after all. What harm could come to his charges in her company?

Legolas continued up the stairs and through the door Moralfien held open for him. Her talan was very simple, like the talan's and cottages of most of his friends. In fact, it was even more sparsely furnished than most. It did contain one elaborate tapestry of two trees, one silver and one gold. Were those the Two Trees? Legolas wondered. A tapestry decorating any villager's home was very unusual, much less one on such a strange subject. Perhaps he was wrong and they just happened to be two lovely, brightly colored trees.

"You had a letter for me from the King," Moralfien asked sharply, interrupting Legolas's thoughts.

Galithil nodded and pulled a sealed letter from his pocket.

Moralfien reached for it and without another word or glance, she walked across the room to a desk and sat down to read.

"My brother said that he did not think you were Silvan," Galithil commented as Moralfien read. "Given your reaction to Maenil's song about Nimrodel, I would have guessed you were indeed Silvan. But seeing this, I suppose not," he said, stepping closer to the tapestry to inspect it. "Finest quality," he observed, studying the weave. "Nearly as fine as those the Queen makes. Who wove it?"

Moralfien looked up from the letter and her fixed smile returned. "I did, thank you. You have given me a great compliment, I am sure, saying my work is nearly as fine as the Queen's. And I am certainly not Silvan. Your lord brother is correct." She pulled a pen from the desk and uncapped her ink.

"The king says he does not know you though," Legolas ventured to ask. Even without hearing her comments about Nimrodel, this elleth's demeanor struck him as very odd.

She shook her head as she began to write. "I know him, of course. Everyone who lived in Doriath knew the lords of the House of Thingol. Very outspoken in court, they were. Not your adar, of course. He was too young and only had just begun to serve the court when Menegroth fell. But your daeradar Oropher, he was influential in Doriath. Oropher did not know me either, but he knew my brother. Knew him well enough to recommend him to the High King." She continued writing her response to Thranduil between pauses in this monologue, her pen strokes growing ever more flourishing with each pause. "Yes, Oropher knew my brother. So when Oropher and Thranduil came east, I followed them. Not as far as this forest, originally, but I followed them."

"So you are from Lorien," Galithil said when she did not continue. "Dolgailon thought you might be from there."

Moralfien made no response to that. She simply continued writing.

"Did you learn to weave in Lothlorien?" Legolas asked. "The Queen began her study of weaving in Lothlorien, before coming here and learning from my daernaneth."

Moralfien waved her pen at the tapestry dismissively. "I learned to weave long ago, though it interests me very little. I prefer gem work. Of course, there is no gem work in this forest."

"You might ask the King for some of the emeralds that were mined when the stronghold was built," Legolas suggested. That earned him Moralfien's interest, signified by a single raised eyebrow. "He still has a very large quantity of them. They are not high quality. A challenge to cut, from what very little I understand of it. But if you can cut them, or at least set them in some attractive way that will make them more valuable for trade, I am certain the King would place great worth on that skill." He paused. "Did you use your gem work to trade with the dwarves for the swords you gave to the village warriors?" he asked with a light tone.

Moralfien's smile grew openly mocking. "Yes, I did. Of course, I know that the King does not allow such trade, but I value the safety of this village more than I value his rules. And the gems were mine to use as I chose. You may tell him I said that when you tell him about the swords. You may also tell him that the people of this village support my sacrifice and appreciate it. Greatly."

Legolas nodded. "It is not my place to make any judgments about foreign trade, but I will pass your message on to him."

Moralfien again made no response to that. Instead, she reached with one hand for the candle on her desk. With the other, she picked up her sealing wax. "The King sent you to our village with only the Queen's father? No one else is with you? Or coming after you?"

Legolas frowned. What could be the meaning of that question?

"Lord Dolgailon is not available to manage the dwarves or the elves from Lothlorien," Galithil responded. "I am his younger brother. The King sent me to manage them. I apologize for not coming to introduce myself to you sooner, but Lord Amglaur was anxious to find out what was happening in Lothlorien and in Hadhodrond. He was worried about his people, so we looked first for that information. We meant no slight to you. I apologize if we have offended you."

That brought a genuine smile to Moralfien's lips. "You are well mannered, Lord Galithil, but I understand your urgency, so no offense has been given." She stood and handed him the sealed letter. "Forgive me, but if I recall correctly the year of celebrations for your birth, you are not yet of age. Either of you," she said, glancing at Legolas.

Galithil shook his head. "We are not, but we have served the court for many years, just the same."

Moralfien nodded. "It is most appropriate for a King's sons to serve and learn in his court and you have clearly learned well. Tell me, Lord Galithil, since your brother apparently has little interest in this, your father's village, will you show it more attention when you come of age?"

Galithil shot Legolas a startled glance. "I will serve where ever the King expects me to serve, my lady," he replied.

Moralfien put a hand on Galithil's shoulder to lead him to the door. "And perhaps that service will be here. If so, I look forward to getting to know you and your betrothed wife much better. In fact, if the King will send me one of the emeralds Lord Legolas spoke of, I will work it into a wedding gift for you. Perhaps a ring." She held out her hand to display a gold ring set with a small sapphire. " I am quite skilled at making rings. It would be lovely, I promise you. Perhaps you might even do me the honor of using it as your wedding ring. Or, if the emerald is large enough, I could cut it flat and engrave your seal on it. I will write the King to ask about it. Good evening." She held open the door of her talan.

"Good evening," Legolas and Galithil replied.

Legolas stepped out the door all too eagerly.

"A wedding gift! Your wedding ring, no less! How wonderful," he whispered when they were half way down the stairs. "Good luck finding a polite way to refuse that offer. And I pity you should adar or Dolgailon expect you to manage this village with this elleth as an advisor when we come of age."

Galithil laughed, but quickly sobered. "I do not like her. And I can see why Dolgailon has no interest in being here. But perhaps he should."

"The troop commander is needed at the stronghold, to advise the king," Legolas responded.

Galithil shrugged. "Adar was the realm's troop commander and he lived in this village before I was born. But regardless, this village needs a different leader one way or another, given what we have seen here in one short day."

Legolas could not disagree with that.

*~*~*

Legolas and Galithil climbed the steps of Dolgailon's talan, pleased to have discharged all the duties they had been given in the village. Dolgailon, Aradunnon, Celonhael and Golwon had all said at least once that the villages in the south were much harder to manage. Galithil and Legolas had even overheard Dolgailon confess to Arthiel, after swearing her to secrecy, that he hated trying to manage the elves in his village--this village. Both Legolas and Galithil understood that a little better now and they were happy to retreat into the talan. At least they were happy for a brief moment, until the sitting room door flew open.

"Where have you been?" Amglaur demanded, rushing into the corridor.

"It is after dark," Hurion said, speaking over Amglaur and nearly walking on his heels. "You promised Thranduil and us that you would be in this talan by nightfall. I would have come looking for you, but then there would be no one guarding Lord Amglaur."

Amglaur scowled at the guard. "Bother that," he said. "Did you speak to those dwarves? Did they tell you anything useful?"

Legolas and Galithil looked between Amglaur and Hurion with wide eyes.

"They were both with me the entire time," Galuauth said calmly in reply to Hurion's temper. "Perfectly safe and performing the duties the King charged them with."

"We delivered the King's message to Moralfien and got her reply in return," Galithil elaborated. Then he turned to Amglaur "And yes, we spoke to the dwarves. One of them is Nis, Durin's ambassador to this realm. She recognized us and told us in detail what happened in Hadhodrond."

Amglaur openly sagged in relief and reached for Galithil and Legolas's arms to pull them into the sitting room. "Come tell me what..." he stumbled to a stop and focused on Galithil. "She, did you say? Nis is female? I have met Nis, and I would not have guessed that." He shook his head. "Regardless, tell me what she said. I have barely restrained myself from going to speak with them. I only managed not to because I know...well, I doubt that I would handle the conversation well and I did not want to ruin your chance of getting information from them. But I need to know what threatens my realm. Tell me what she said," he repeated, pushing Galithil and Legolas onto a couch in the sitting room and settling himself on a footstool in front of them.

Legolas bit his lip to keep from laughing at his grandfather's impatience. He knew the reason for it was not funny--Amglaur had clearly already thought about the fact that the dwarves knew what he most needed to know, just as Legolas and Galithil had discussed would eventually occur to him, Still, the fact that even Amglaur recognized that he was not the best person to speak to the dwarves, as Legolas and Galithil had also said, was a little funny.

Galithil related everything that Nis had told them and Amglaur listened intensely and without interruption.

When Galithil finished, Amglaur regarded him silently for a long moment, his expression not betraying his reaction. Then he erupted from the stool and loosed a groan that was almost a roar. "Leave it to dwarves," he said, "to delve too greedily and too deep. The Valar only know what manner of Morgoth's minions they have unleashed on us now. And then, if you please, they flee and leave it to the rest of us to tidy up their mess. Despicable."

As before, when they were speaking about Hadhodrond with Maenil and Pauron, Legolas refrained from making any response, but he could not understand his grandfather's assumptions. Nis had said that their miners had tried to close up the shaft where Durin's Bane had emerged, despite the promising vein of mithril within it. Galithil had told Amglaur that as part of his narrative. That did not sound 'too greedy' in Legolas's mind. And the dwarves did work through two kings trying to tidy up their own mess. That seemed to be a good effort. But he did not think pointing out either of those facts would be particularly helpful at the moment.

Amglaur snorted out loud. "And how kind of this dwarf to point out that mithril armor is the only armor to withstand this evil. I will just put on my mithril armor right now." He looked about himself with mock dismay. "Oh dear, I seem to have forgotten to pack it," he exclaimed sarcastically. "The only mithril I have ever even seen since the First Age are those rings Oropher made for himself and Dieneryn and Thranduil. Where he obtained even that small amount is a mystery to me. There is no hope I can fight such a creature. When I left Lorien--and that was only forty years ago--Amroth's guards were armed largely with bows. They do not even have the swords that Thranduil has managed to accumulate here."

Legolas's eyebrows went up despite his best efforts not to react. That lack of armaments sounded very short sighted. "Nis did say Durin's Bane showed no interest in leaving the mountain. Maybe, like a dragon, it will be content to sit on its new hoard and it will leave Lorien alone," he suggested.

"Durin's Bane!" Amglaur scoffed. "And the bane of many elves as well it seems, since this evil thing has drawn more evil things to it. Even if it stays in that cursed mine, which is unlikely given the orcs trying to stir it up, the orcs themselves will continue to attack Lorien now that they see it is weakened. I will be facing the same sorts of attacks this forest has seen." He paced over to the sitting room balcony and flung open the curtain. "They will bring the same sort of decay that this forest has suffered," he snapped a dead twig off the sad tree that held the talan, threw it on the floor and stepped on it. As he did, he glanced at Galithil and Legolas's grave expressions and his anger seemed to evaporate. "I apologize," he said, walking back over to them and reaching to ruffle their hair. Then he stopped himself with a rueful smile. "I suppose that if you are old enough to be delivering war councils to me, if you are old enough to be representing your king to foreign powers, you are too old to be patted on the head."

Galithil and Legolas returned his smile appreciatively. Galithil's smile did not entirely hide the sympathy in his eyes and Legolas doubted his did either. They had been listening to Amglaur's stories of the beauty of Lothlorien since they were infants. The sorry state of southern forest disturbed Legolas deeply. He easily understood how Amglaur was feeling at the prospect of Lothlorien facing the same fate.

"Are you too old to give me a hug?" Amglaur asked softly. "I will miss you when I go to Lorien."

Both Legolas and Galithil stood and wrapped their arms around Amglaur. "We will miss you too," they both said.

Amglaur returned the embrace.

"How I wish I could take you both and Lindomiel..." He shook slightly with laughter. "I would even like to take Thranduil to Lorien with me. When it is safe again, of course. Lorien is a beautiful forest." He stepped back to look at them. "I promised once to take you there. Do you remember?"

Legolas and Galithil nodded. Legolas remembered that conversation. He remembered listening his grandfather's stories while sitting in the forest wrapped safely in his arms. Those memories were a far cry from discussing with him the current threats against Lothlorien. Legolas's heart contracted painfully at the contrast.

"Do not doubt that I will keep that promise, still," Amglaur continued. "When it is safe again for you to travel to Lorien, I will see to it that Thranduil allows you to visit me." Amglaur smiled. A mischievous smile. "I will insist that Thranduil send you both to negotiate with Lorien. I will accept no other emissary from Eryn Galen. You may tell him that."

Despite themselves, Legolas and Galithil giggled. "Forgive us if we do not," Legolas replied.

Amglaur grinned at him and pulled him back into an embrace. "I am very angry with these dwarves. They have deprived me of my right to see my grandsons grow into adulthood. He reached for Galithil, and put an arm around him as well. "I look on you as my grandson every bit as much as I do Legolas. You know that, I hope."

Galithil nodded without looking at Amglaur. "I would tell you something if you promise to try to take it in the spirit it is intended and not to be offended," he whispered, his voice suddenly thick with emotion.

"I promise, pen neth," Amglaur replied automatically, tightening his arm around Galithil.

"You remind me so much of my adar," Galithil whispered. "Sometimes, I could almost forget my adar was gone when you did things with Legolas and I." He paused. "I know you do not want to be likened to anyone in the House of Oropher," he said with a bit of a laugh. "But you and adar are so much alike."

Legolas suddenly found himself breathing deeply in an effort not to lose control. He had known his cousin felt that way, but somehow hearing it said out loud made it too real. It was beyond unfair that Galithil was losing someone again.

Amglaur released them and then grasped Galithil's shoulders, holding him at arms length. "I will tell you a secret, Galithil--both of you, of course," he said, looking at Legolas, "if you give me your word that you will tell no one. Not your cousins or friends or Lindomiel. Not any of your aunts or uncles and especially not your Uncle Thranduil."

Legolas's eyes widened.

Amglaur smiled at them. "It is not a secret that could possibly endanger this realm's security or hurt your adar, so you are safe to make that promise," he said, now looking mischievous again.

"I will tell no one," Galithil promised quickly.

"Nor will I," Legolas added.

Amglaur sat on the couch. His gaze seemed to focus on another place. Or time. "I do not mind being likened to Oropher. Oropher is the best friend I ever had in the world," he said quietly.

Legolas and Galithil stared at him, frank disbelief their face, certain Amglaur must be joking with them.

"Oropher and I did everything together. We were the leaders of the Wolf Pack," Amglaur said, smiling again at the memory. "No one else could approach our skill at whatever we put our heads to. Even Celeborn thought we were rivals, and we may have acted that way at times, but between the two of us, we knew it was just fun. Only a game."

"Wolf Pack?" Galithil asked. It was the sort of reference Galithil would be unable to resist trying to learn more about.

"The Wolf Pack is how the High King referred to us," Amglaur explained. "The Wolf Pack was your daeradar Oropher and great uncle Engwe, Amdir and myself, and Celeborn and Galathil. And Oropher and I--most of the trouble we all got into stemmed from one of our ideas. But our greatest ideas--including returning east, to the Silvan--those were our ideas too. Mine and Oropher's."

Legolas shook his head. "Then why do you give adar such a hard time about the House of Oropher?" he exclaimed.

"Because my daughter, your naneth, married into it!" Amglaur shot back quickly. "One might run with wolves oneself, but that does not mean one wants one's daughter running with them also! You will understand that if you have a daughter of your own one day," he answered laughing. Then he sobered. "And Oropher and I may have finally had a few fallings out. I did not particularly approve of some of his decisions in raising Thranduil. I definitely did not approve when he moved the people of this forest away from Amon Lanc precisely when Celeborn--and granted that Noldorin wife of his--moved to Eregion. Celeborn so close again, after so much time. We should have all been reunited again, but Oropher had to move." Amglaur sighed. "I do not entirely disagree with his reasoning for doing so, but still I was bitter because I had so hoped we could all work together again, each of us in our own realms." He looked back at them. "The point is: I am not offended by being likened to Oropher. You need influences like him to keep you merry, especially in times such as this. I will be writing Celonhael to make sure he fills that role for you from now on, though he is not the wolf Oropher and I were, and so will be a poor substitute." This last was accompanied by the return of the mischievous grin.

Galithil burst into laughter, shaking his head. "I cannot believe the High King nicknamed you and daeradar wolves. I can only imagine what Uncle Thranduil would say if anyone labeled Legolas and I in such a way."

"Alas, it may not happen without my influence. A pity," Amglaur replied, still grinning.

"And so Galithil and I might survive to grow into adulthood," Legolas countered.

Amglaur laughed as well and drew both Legolas and Galithil to him again, placing a kiss on each of their foreheads. Then he fixed them with a stern look. "Legolas, always remember this--and now I am speaking seriously, giving both of you the last advice I will be able to give you for a very long time: your grandparents, Oropher and I, brought our families here to escape the grief Morgoth and Sauron seek to impose upon this world. Do anything you can, anything you must, to oppose that grief. I do not deny that includes fighting the Shadow with swords. But it also means making merry. Indeed, sometimes, especially in the darkest of times, merrymaking is all that gives us the strength to continue the fight. Remember that and be the wolves your daeradars Oropher and Amglaur would be proud of."

Legolas and Galithil nodded. "We will, daeradar," Legolas said softly.

"When will you leave?" Galithil added, his voice once again rough.

"In my message to Thranduil, I asked him to send an escort for both of you to take you back to the stronghold. I will leave directly once it arrives." He forced a smile to his face. "So we have at least three days to secure your position as wolves here in this village. First impressions are so important, after all, so we should be able to accomplish a great deal."

Galithil laughed again, this time nervously, and shook his head.

*~*~*

Tulus walked back into the village, past the music in the courtyard. He could not help but to smile at it, glad to see that even this far south the elves still danced. If everything the warriors of the southern patrol had told him was accurate, these villagers had reason to celebrate. He had lived in the south for many years and had never gone an entire season in his village without fighting orcs. It was a good year here, apparently. He also would not have had a sword as a village guard if he had not been allowed to take his sword with him when he was dismissed from Thranduil's service. He could envision the King's reaction when he heard the village leader here had traded with dwarves for swords, but in this instance, he strongly disagreed with the King. If this village leader could provide swords, then she should be allowed to do it.

Scanning the revelers as he walked, four figures on the far side of the courtyard caught Tulus's attention. Two of them had their back to him. One was an elleth and the other an ellon. But the two facing him...it was Dannenion and Dolwon. Tulus scowled. What were they doing in this village? He turned away from his march to Dolgailon's in order to speak to them and when he did, Dannenion noticed him. He openly tensed and said something swiftly to the elleth and ellon. Both nodded and walked away, without turning.

Tulus's scowl deepened.

Dannenion and Dolwon waved to him and started toward him, but Tulus continued watching the elleth and ellon. Just as their forms were dissolving into shadows amongst the trees, the elleth glanced over her shoulder.

Tulus froze. It could not be.

"Stop!" he yelled, pointing at her, and he broke into a full run, straight through the lines of dancing elves. He ran, dodging past Dannenion and Dolwon, ignoring the questions they shouted after him, and down the path the elleth and ellon had followed. He followed it a few dozen strides, but no one came into view. He doubled his speed and ran a dozen more paces. Then he stopped and turned around, looking back into the trees. He retraced his steps, searching swiftly in the tree branches and amongst the trunks on either side of the path for the elleth or any sign of where she might have gone--a nearly impossible task on the heavily used path. He saw nothing.

When he reached the head of the path, Dannenion and Dolwon were still there, looking at him as if he had lost his mind.

"What is the matter, Tulus?" Dannenion asked with all apparent innocence.

Tulus seized him roughly by the arm and shoved him against a tree. "Was that her?" he demanded.

Dannenion struggled in his grasp. "Turn me loose at once, Tulus. What do you think you are doing?"

"You know exactly what I am doing," Tulus replied, tightening his grasp and leaning into Dannenion's face. "Answer me or answer to the King. Was that her?"

"Her who?" Dannenion asked back.

Tulus narrowed his eyes. "Manadhien? Was that her that you were speaking to?"

Dannenion affected a shocked expression. "Manadhien? That was a villager. Only a villager and her brother. The friends I am visiting here."

Tulus loosed a long breath. He still held Dannenion's arm, but he took a step back. "Villagers?" he repeated.

"Yes, Tulus. Do not be a fool. Thranduil finally allows me to travel and you think the first thing I would do is meet with the person who caused me to be held under arrest for forty years. How stupid do you think I am? And of all the villages in this forest, Manadhien is going to live right here in Dolgailon's village? How stupid do you think she is that she would take such a risk? Thranduil still wants her arrested, you know."

Tulus released him with a shove. "I am aware he wants her arrested, yes. And how stupid do I think you both are? I think you are as stupid as a rock, Dannenion, and Manadhien is even stupider. But her actions did not get you arrested. Your own actions did that. As did mine." He took another step back. "But, if that was indeed simply a villager, I apologize."

"As well you should," Dannenion replied, lifting his chin and shaking his tunic back into place. Without another word, he stepped around Tulus and pulled Dolwon away with him.

Tulus looked down the path after them. The villagers here are very adapt at disappearing, he thought. Then he turned back in the direction of Dolgailon's talan, ignoring the curious stares of the dancers in the courtyard.

*~*~*

"I do not think we dare approach more closely, my lord," Colloth whispered.

"There is nothing more to learn," Galudiron agreed. "Hadhodrond is over run. There is no doubt about it. And there is certainly nothing we can do about it."

Dolgailon stared at the stone path below them through the needles of the fir trees that sheltered them. Even in the waning sunlight, orcs skittered from boulder to boulder along the path, cowering in the shadows and snarling at the light.

Dolgailon disagreed that there was nothing more to learn here.  For example, he simply could not imagine how these orcs had managed to successfully attack the dwarvish stronghold and he wanted to understand how they did that very badly. Any attack they had used on Hadhodrond would certainly succeed against the stronghold he was charged to defend. But he could not deny that his guards were completely correct that there was no possibility he would risk getting any closer to the Dimrill Gate. He drew a breath to concede, but before he could speak, he froze and leaned forward instead.

"What is that?" he asked, pointing at a shadow a good distance away amongst the scattered trees on the side of the path.

It did not scurry like a rat. It moved carefully. Purposefully. They watched it until it reached a position half way between the copse of trees they were hiding in and the foot of the path to the Dimrill Gate. Then it disappeared into a denser growth of firs. When Dolgailon again detected motion, there were three more shadows accompanying the first. Dolgailon and his guards silently studied the shadows as they moved closer. Though cloaked, one of them wore something bright that flickered when caught in the fading light.

Without warning, a meadow lark called, shrill and clear. The nearest orcs screeched in surprise and turned in circles, searching for origin of the noise. Dolgailon started badly enough to nearly fall from the tree. He spun to face the guard that was supposed to keep him safe.

"What in all of Arda do you think you are doing?" he hissed.

Colloth did not reply. He only continued to watch the shadows. At Colloth's call, they froze and crouched closer to the ground, but one of them leaned around the trunk that hid him and peered at the copse of trees. Silver glinted in the sunlight. Colloth made the call again. The shadows began moving again, more swiftly, directly towards Colloth.

"I hope you know what you are doing," Galudiron whispered. As he spoke, he drew an arrow from his quiver and nocked it against his bowstring.

Colloth waved his hand at him. "They are elves," he whispered. "Or at least three of them are. Noble elves, unless I am mistaken," he added in response to everyone's raised eyebrows. "Did you not see the one has silver hair? Only the High King's kin have such a hair color. I am not yet certain who the fourth person is. A man, it appears."

Galudiron, Ostarndor and Morillion glanced at Dolgailon's silver-gold hair and then turned to watch the approaching shadows, arrows still at the ready.

Within moments, the four shadows dashed from the shelter of their copse of trees, along a series of rocks near the path and then into the copse of trees where Dolgailon and his guards hid. Dolgailon's eyes widened. Colloth was right. Three of them were elves and one of them had hair even more purely silver than his father's had been. The other two were dark-haired, like most Silvan elves, but they were strikingly similar in appearance. The fourth person appeared to be an old man. Dolgailon's jaw dropped as realization dawned. Even as it did, the silver elf leapt easily into the trees, signaling for his companions to follow him. The two elves did. The man stayed on the ground, his gray cloak disappearing into the shadows.

"Colloth?" the silver elf asked, his gaze settling on the guard.

Colloth smiled at him. "My lord Celeborn," he replied, bowing as well as he could while crouching on the branch. "What an odd place for us to meet again."

Celeborn returned his smile wryly. "Indeed." His gaze turned to Dolgailon. "And you are related to Thranduil unless I am very much mistaken, but too old to be his son. Legolas would not yet be of age, if I remember correctly."

"I am Dolgailon Aradunnonion," Dolgailon replied automatically, trying not to stare at the elf before him, though he knew he was failing in that endeavor. He never expected to meet anything but enemies when he followed the orcs onto the plain. He would be a little over-awed to meet such a venerable elf--one he had learned about in lessons as a child--even if he were meeting that elf in his uncle's court. Meeting him here, in the middle of a recent battle ground, was completely unexpected. But then, if the Woodland Realm had noticed signs worth investigating on their borders, it stood to reason that Imladris might have noticed similar signs.

"I am Elrohir," one of the dark-haired elves said, interrupting Dolgailon's thoughts and confirming his suspicions. "This is my brother Elladan and that," he pointed to the old man, "is Mithrandir. Now that we are all properly introduced, shall we be moving along? It would be wise to put as much distance as possible between us and the Gate before nightfall."

"An excellent suggestion," Galudiron readily agreed.

That comment jerked Dolgailon's mind back to the reason he was here. "How closely did you approach the Dimrill Gate," he asked. "What did you see there?"

"We got within sight of it," Celeborn replied. "It is held by orcs. There are signs of battle between the orcs and the dwarves, but no evidence of a battle or siege large or long enough to capture a stronghold like Hadhodrond. Our guess is that the dwarves abandoned Hadhodrond, but we saw no signs to explain why they would do such a thing."

Dolgailon frowned. What could possibly make the dwarves abandon a mithril mine? The mithril mine. Their kind had dwelt and worked there for all the Ages of the world. It made no sense, but if Celeborn had seen the Gate and still had seen no answers, then at least Dolgailon could turn away from the idea of approaching it himself with no regrets.

"What brought you here, if I may ask?" Dolgailon asked, while beginning to move through the trees. Perhaps Imladris had heard or seen something more that might be useful.

"We heard rumors from the Dunadain that a few large groups of dwarves--apparently refugees--were on the East-West Road, traveling to the Ered Luin," Elladan said. "The dwarves would say nothing, apparently, except that they had fled Hadhodrond. That concerned our adar and daernaneth, so we agreed to go investigate. What brought you here? Are the dwarves turning up in Mirkwood also?"

Dolgailon frowned at that name for the forest. "Not that I have seen, but we," he gestured at his companions, "have spent nearly the last month traveling in the southern forest, near Dol Guldur. We traveled here following orcs. They have been leaving the forest and traveling onto the plains in great numbers and we wanted to know what they were doing, in case it posed some new threat or design to attack the forest from a new vantage point." He looked back over his shoulder at Khazad-dum. "It appears the forest is not their target. Just the same, I need to get back home to report what we have seen at Dol Guldur and here to the King. He will certainly be alarmed that Hadhodrond has fallen. Dwarves make better neighbors than orcs."

"Even I will agree to that," Celeborn said.

"What of Lothlorien?" Mithrandir called from below them. "What news do you hear from there?

Dolgailon paused in his passage from branch to branch and looked down at the wizard. He shook his head. "We passed its borders when crossing the plain, but we did not encounter anyone from there." Even as he spoke, Dolgailon's brow furrowed. That was odd. If Imladris and the Woodland Realm were investigating the orcs around Khazad-dum, surely the closest elven realm to the mountain would be investigating them too. Unless they already had investigated or knew what had happened some other way. "Perhaps they know more in Lothlorien about what happened in Hadhodrond."

"If they do, it might be worthwhile to go speak to someone there," Galudiron suggested. "The King is going to want to know why Hadhodrond is crawling with orcs."

"Lord Amglaur is going to want to know why Hadhodrond is crawling with orcs," Colloth added. "He will find the idea of orcs so close to his home very alarming, I am certain.

Dolgailon nodded in response to that. "But I think we had best report what we know to the King without more delay. He might prefer to send Amglaur to deal with Lothlorien rather than us. Amglaur might prefer that as well." He found his gaze drawn eastward. "I think we had better return to the forest." Indeed, he suddenly felt the urge to hurry home. He began moving, more swiftly, through the firs.

"Amglaur is in Eryn Galen?" Celeborn asked.

"He is," Dolgailon confirmed.

"I would greatly appreciate it if you made sure he knew what has happened. And tell him that I am in Lothlorien, for that is where we will travel next," Celeborn said. "Amglaur and I are very old friends. He will definitely return to Lothlorien if he fears it is threatened, and I would like his aid to manage whatever we might find there."

"What do you fear that you will find that King Amroth cannot manage without aid?" Dolgailon asked, feeling a bit alarmed himself by Celeborn's words.

Celeborn shook his head. "We do not know. Galadriel felt strongly that something was amiss. Something serious. That is why we are here. Given that Hadhodrond has fallen, I would say that she is right. But she felt something was wrong in Lothlorien too."

"When we return to the forest, we will tell Amglaur what you have said," Dolgailon promised, and he said nothing more. He simply moved as quickly as he safely could through the trees.

*~*~*

Adar/ada -- Father/dad
Naneth/nana -- Mother/mum
Daeradar -- grandfather
Daernaneth -- grandmother
pen neth -- young one